“It’s finally here.”
"Yeah, it's not easy to come here. I can hardly feel my shoulders anymore."
"This Song Family Castle is really big? I heard that there are nearly two to three thousand people living here?"
"What does it have to do with us? We'll just change our things and leave."
"Too."
Everyone was talking about it, with tones of voices ranging from happiness to envy, amazement to indifference.
"Everyone, cheer up. Also, don't let those people get close."
Chen Guodong turned around and reminded.
Soon, Chen Fan saw the people his father had mentioned.
Two or three hundred meters away from the gate of Songjiabao, there were many people lying on the ground in all directions. They looked emaciated and naked, and a foul stench could be smelled from far away.
Seeing Chen Fan and his group approaching, these people sat up from the grass, staring straight at the prey they were carrying, with their mouths watering.
"Please, give me something to eat."
"Master, please be kind, please be kind, I haven't eaten for three days."
"Brothers, as long as you give me something to eat, I will do anything you ask me to do."
The begging sounds were endless.
Chen Fan's heart trembled.
After all, it was the first time he saw this situation, and he felt a little bit reluctant.
But the next moment, he became ruthless and decided that if he was rich, he would help the world; if he was poor, he would just take care of himself. Now, it was already the limit for him to be able to survive with the people in a village.
Some people around bravely tried to get closer, but were forced back by those with spears in the team.
The further we went, the more homeless people we saw. Some of them didn't even have any clothes on them. They fell to the ground, motionless.
Some people knelt on the ground and kowtowed continuously, while others focused their eyes as if they were planning something.
The crowd was a little restless.
"Behave yourself!"
"Don't move, don't blame me for being rude!"
Everyone shouted angrily.
To be honest, they were accustomed to this kind of situation on the road, but today's experience was the first time. If they didn't handle it well, they would probably have to die here today.
Chen Fan also clenched the spear in his hand and was fully alert.
He was somewhat glad that he had listened to Uncle Zhang's advice and practiced shooting.
Perhaps they realized that the group of people in front of them were not easy to deal with, the restlessness in the crowd gradually subsided, and the pleading sounds also became quieter.
"Phew, it was finally a safe bet."
Gao Yang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with lingering fear.
"Yes, if our momentum just now was weaker, the consequences would be disastrous."
"We'll have another chance later, but they probably won't dare to target us again." Everyone was talking at once.
At this time, it was less than a hundred meters away from Songjiabao, and it was visibly much cleaner. Occasionally, there were people coming from other directions, some covering their faces and some not. Without exception, they were all very quiet.
Chen Fan looked around and noticed that at least ten pairs of eyes swept over him and others. Sometimes when he saw them, he would quickly turn his eyes away and pretend nothing had happened.
"Among them, there may be the eyes of the bandits. But don't worry, let's get down to business first."
He withdrew his gaze and began to look at the huge monster in front of him.
The wall made of bluestone is four or five meters high and extends to both sides. Its circumference is about two kilometers. Many people are standing on the wall, armed with guns.
"What is that?"
Chen Fan's pupils suddenly contracted, and he saw several black cannon muzzles on the city gate tower, facing here, giving people a creepy feeling.
"That must be the artillery that Gu Ze mentioned earlier, which repelled high-level beasts."
He swallowed and looked down.
There are three gates at the foot of the city wall, one large and two small, all of which are manned by fully armed soldiers.
There were a lot of people at the small door on the left, forming a long queue, carrying prey in their hands and on their shoulders. It was obvious that they were here to exchange supplies just like him and others.
The one on the right seemed to be the exit. When someone came out, he handed over a small piece of paper and was then allowed to pass.
The middle gate is three cars wide. Occasionally, vehicles go in and out, but it is empty most of the time. In fact, there are several cars parked outside the city wall, and the big truck from Zhaojiabao is among them.
From this we can see that this gate is prepared for people of status and position, and not everyone can pass through it just because they have a car.
"Let's line up too. Everyone, be quiet. The soldiers guarding the city are really brave enough to shoot."
As Chen Guodong spoke, he glanced at Chen Fan specially. If there was anyone in the team who had not been here before, it was only the latter.
A group of people lined up at the end of the queue and waited slowly.
From time to time, such voices could be heard from the front.
"How many people?"
"Fifteen."
"Entrance fee: 15 yuan, or the equivalent in beast meat. Take the note and leave the city before 5pm. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences. And don't cause any trouble."
"Yes, yes, thank you, brother."
A group of people poured into the city.
Then, the same conversation sounded again.
"It seems that we need to pay an entrance fee to enter the city, and we have to be out before dark." Chen Fan thought. It seems that they should also check everyone's identity after dark to prevent anyone from sneaking into the city. It is likely that everyone living here has something similar to an ID card, but outsiders like them do not have it.
But it's really profitable.
One yuan per person, there are probably hundreds of people a day, so that’s several hundred yuan.
This is a day's income.
Soon, it was Chen Guodong and others' turn.
Chen Guodong took out the beast meat that had been weighed in advance. Someone on the other side weighed it and nodded.
The person in charge of registration handed over a stack of slips of paper and said expressionlessly, "Keep the slips and return them when you come out. Come out before dark and don't cause any trouble."
"Okay, okay."
Chen Guodong quickly took it and distributed it to everyone.
Chen Fan also got it. It was a piece of paper, the size of an ID card. At the top, the three big words "Pass" were written, and below it was the date, November 12th.
"Next."
The man's voice sounded again behind him.
Chen Fan followed the team into the city, and for a moment, he felt a little dazed.
All I saw was a wide cement road in front of me. There were many shops on both sides of the road. One of the most conspicuous was a shop that purchased materials made from ferocious beasts. It was several times the size of an ordinary shop. In addition, there were also shops that provided accommodation, meals, foot washing and massage. There were quite a few people there.
In some places, there are still many people setting up stalls and shouting loudly.
Like a market.
Not only him, but everyone who came in was looking at the surrounding scenery with longing in their eyes.
"Ahem," Chen Guodong coughed lightly, "Okay, let's go exchange things first. That store, in addition to purchasing materials from fierce beasts, also sells a variety of weapons. Xiaofan, see if there is anything you want to buy."
"OK."
Chen Fan's mind moved.
He had heard about it from Uncle Zhang before he came, so now was a good opportunity to go and see it for himself.
Then, go find the old man who sells the skills.
Finally, we'll deal with those horse thieves if they're really in their old location.
At this time, a group of people came towards them, and one of them said in a gloomy tone: "I was wondering why he looked familiar on the road. Isn't he from Chenjiazhai? Why is he hiding so much? Can't he be seen by others?"
In an instant, all eyes around fell on Chen Guodong and others.